Dental hygiene is a big part of our lives, it’s something we do twice a day, every day, for our entire lives. It’s so important that people love to speculate about the best and worst ways to do it. This leads to a lot of myths, many of which lead to bad dental hygiene. So, we’ve set out a list which busts these myths right open, and don’t worry; we promise to tell the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth!
Myth: You should rinse your mouth with water after brushing your teeth.
The Truth: Many people rinse their mouths out with water as the last part of their brushing routine – it gets rid of any leftover toothpaste and gives an all-over clean feeling. However, you should actually be spitting instead. Most toothpastes contain fluoride which help to keep your teeth strong and prevent against decay. So, remember: ‘spit not rinse’.
Myth: If nothing is bothering you, you don’t need a dental check-up.
The Truth: This is one of the biggest myths out there. If you aren’t experiencing pain or discomfort in your teeth, that doesn’t mean they are in good health. Cavities and gum diseases can exist under the radar: dental pain is just a sign that you’ve left the problem too long. Regular dental check-ups can prevent against dental problems developing in the first place.
Myth: It’s best to clean your teeth straight after every meal
The Truth: Cleaning your teeth straight after a meal doesn’t allow your saliva to serve its purpose, which is to break down your food and perform an antibacterial effect on your mouth. This means that any food that isn’t removed by brushing will begin to attack your teeth. Also, the acid from your meal will immediately weaken your enamel so brushing immediately after eating is likely to scrub away the surface of your teeth. It’s best to wait 30-60 minutes between eating and brushing.
Myth: The harder you brush, the cleaner your teeth will get.
The Truth: Trying hard doesn’t always mean you’ll do very well, especially when it comes to brushing your teeth. Brushing too hard or with an overly firm brush-head can actually do harm to your enamel and lead to tooth erosion. So, either ease up on your brushing action or get a softer brush. Either way you need to take it easier on your teeth, they’re pretty important you know!
Myth: Women lose one tooth for every child they give birth to.
The Truth: This is a weird one that stems from an old wives’ tale, which means is completely untrue. Pregnancy can cause significant hormonal changes which can give expectant mothers increased levels of bacteria, bleeding gums and gingivitis. However, let your dentist know if you’re experiencing dental problems and the chance of you losing a tooth are very, very unlikely.
Myth: Beauty salons are good at teeth whitening.
The Truth: There’s only one thing to say with this one: teeth whitening is a form of dentistry. Which means there’s no beauty salon in the world that could offer the same level of expertise than a dentistry. It is illegal if there isn’t a dental professional present and can be very dangerous.
Dental myths are bad news for your teeth, leading to poor dental hygiene and dental complications. The best way to remedy some of them is to take heed of our advice above. However, the ultimate way to become ‘myth-proof’ is to always fact check everything to do with your teeth. Your teeth are one of the most important parts of your body, it’s best you know the best way to keep the happy!
